Signaling system



misaligned or misadjusted.

Patented Mar. 18, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SEGNALING SYSTEM Appiication December 3, 1938, Serial No. 243,807

4. Claims.

My invention relates to signaling systems, and particularly to signaling systems adaptable for use in the railway signaling art.

A feature of my invention is the provision of novel and improved means whereby a particular one of two control relays, connected togeth r over a common circuit path, may be selectively energized according to the polarity of current supplied such relays. Apparatus embodying my invention is particularly effective for preventing improper energization of such control relays in the event that control contacts of a control element, normally operative to properly select the polarity of current supplied to such relays, are

Other features and advantages of my invention will appear as the specification progresses.

I shall describe one form of apparatus embodying my invention, and shall then point out the novel features thereof in claims.

In the accompanying drawing, Fig. l is a line diagram showing a track layout provided with signal control apparatus for governing the operation of trafiic operating thereover. Fig, 2 is a diagrammatic view of a preferred form of apparatus embodying my invention, which may be adapted for use in governing the signal control apparatus shown in Fig. 1.

Referring to Fig. l, the reference characters 2 and 4 each designate railway tracks interconnected by means of a crossover l. Signals 2R and 4B are provided for tracks 2 and 5, respectively, for governing the operation of trains operating thereover in the eastbound direction, that is, from left to right as viewed in the drawing. Signals 2L and 4L are provided for tracks 2 and 4, respectively, for governing westbound trafiic operating thereover.

Referring now to Fig. 2, the reference characters 2LHSR and ZRHSR designate control relays which may, for example, be the control relays adapted to operate signals 2L and ER, respectively, shown in Fig. 1, by virtue of operating circuits omitted from the drawing since they form no part of my present invention.

The control relays ZLHSR and ZRHSR are controlled over a common intermediate circuit network. Since the form of this circuit network forms no part of my present invention, it is represented on the drawing conventionally, and extends from terminal 6 to terminal I This intermediate circuit network as shown comprises terminal 6, wire 8, contact RCC, wire 9, back contact IQ of a relay ZHSPR, to be referred to here inafter, wire H and terminal I, it being understood that the intermediate circuit network so indicated may comprise a circuit such as shown, or may comprise in addition, if desired, any combination of, say, route and detector locking con trol contacts, switch position indication contacts,

ZRI-I and ZLH are represented in Fig. 1B of the patent as being controlled over an intermediate or route circuit network which may be considered as extending in the patent circuit from movable contact 59 of lever 2V to movable contact 52 of lever 2V. The relays ZRH and ZLH of the patent may be considered as corresponding to relays ZRHSR and ZLHSR, respectively, of the present application, and further detailed description of the construction, arrangement, and utility of the intermediate or route circuit network connecting relays 2RHSR and ZLHSR. of the present application is believed to be unnecessary in View of the detailed description of such circuits and the explanation of their particular utility contained in the said patent. For a clearer understanding of my present invention, however, it is desirable to state that the intermediate or route circuit network is controlled by the two relays ZRHSR and ZLHSR in such manner that when either relay is picked up, the intermediate circuit network is opened through the medium of relays and/or other apparatus controlled by the energized relay 0 ZRI-ISR or ZLHSR, as the case may be, and such energized relay is connected in a stick circuit independent of the intermediate or route circuit network.

Each control relay is interposed in a separate end circuit comprising in each instance a normal and a reverse circuit path, the normal circuit path for each end circuit arranged to permit only current of normal polarity to flow therein, and the reverse circuit path for each end circuit arranged to permit only current of reverse polarity to flow therein. Relay 2RHSR. is interposed in the normal circuit path of the end circuit connected with the left-hand end, as viewed in Fig. 2, of the intermediate circuit network. This normal circuit path comprises terminal 5, wire it, the winding of relay ZRHSR, wire 14, asymmetrical unit l5 arranged to permit only current of normal polarity to flow in the path, wire it and terminal 6. The reverse circuit path of the leftend circuit comprises terminal 5, wire ll, back contact l8 of relay ZRHSR, wire l9, asymmetrical unit 28 arranged to permit only current of reverse polarity to flow in the path, wire 2| and terminal 6. It is apparent that relay ZEHSR may be energized only when current of normal polarity is supplied to its end circuit, and that when current of reverse polarity is supplied, the reverse circuit path provides a shunt path around the winding of relay ZRHSR. Relay ZRHSR, when energized, is provided with a stick circuit which will be pointed out hereinafter.

Relay 2LHSR is interposed in the reverse circuit path of the end circuit connected with the right end of the intermediate circuit network. This reverse circuit path comprises terminal 1, wire 22, asymmetrical unit 23 arranged to permit only current of reverse polarity to flow in the path, wire 24, the winding of relay ZLHSR, wire 25 and terminal 12. The normal circuit path of this end circuit comprises terminal '1, wire '26, asymmetrical unit 21 arranged to permit only current of normal polarity to flow in this path, wire 28, back contact 29 of relay 2LHSR, wire 33 and terminal 5'2. It follows that relay ZLHSR may be energized only when current of reverse polarity is supplied to its end circuit, and that when current of normal polarity is supplied, the normal path of this circuit provides a shunt path around the winding of relay 2LHSR. Relay ZLI-ISR, when energized, is provided with a stick circuit which will be pointed out hereinafter.

The reference character E designates a manually operable control element which may, for example, be a switch lever for an interlocking machine. One form that lever E may take is shown and covered in United States Letters Patent No. 1,887,273, granted November 8, 1932 to Lloyd V. Lewis for Circuit controllers. As indicated in the diagram immediately below lever E in Fig. 2, the lever is adapted to assume a left position L, a neutral position N, and a right position R. The lever E is provided with a plurality of contacts each closed in selected positions of the lever, the position in which each contact is closed being in dicated in Fig. 2 by the reference characters designating such selected positions of the lever. For example, contact 37 of lever E bears the reference character NL, which indicates that such contact is'closed in the neutral position N, the left position L, or any position of the lever intermediate the two. As will appear more clearly hereinafter, lever E when moved to its right position R connects a suitable source of current, such as a battery not shown, across the two end circuits so that current of normal polarity flows therethrough, and when moved to its left position L connects the source of current with the two end circuits so that current of reverse polarity flows therethrough. The contacts of lever E are thus normally operative to selectively control the energization of relays ZLHSR and ZRHSR.

As previously mentioned, the control relays ZRI-ISR and ZLHSR are adapted when either is picked up, to interrupt or open the intermediate circuit network over which such relay is picked up. I have represented, for example, the means controlled by such relays for opening the intermediate circuit network as comprising a repeater relay ZI-ISPR, which repeater relay is energized over a simple circuit including front contact 3! of relay ZRESR or front contact 32 of relay ZLHSR, and which repeater relay has a back contact Ill interposed in the intermediate network circuit. It is to be understood, of course, that While the intermediate .circuit network may be controlled as shown when either relay ZRHSR or 2LHSR picks up to energize relay 2I-ISPR and cause the latter relay to open its back contact Ill, the opening of such intermediate circuit network may be established when either relay ZRHSR or ZLHSR picks up, through the medium of contacts operated by other relays controlled by such control relays, by contacts operated by signals and/ or switches controlled by such control relays, etc., the representation of such control over the intermediate circuit network being indicated by contact 10 here represented controlled by relay ZHSPR.

In describing the operation of the apparatus embodying my invention, I shall assume that the intermediate circuit network is so conditioned as to complete the circuit path interconnecting the two end circuits. I shall further assume that it is desired to control signal 2R to a difierent position. Since it has been assumed that relay 2RHSR controls the operating circuit for signal 2R, it is apparent that this signal may be controlled by energizing relay ZRI-ISR. To do this, lever E is moved to its right position R, whereupon one terminal B of the current source is connected with the right-hand end circuit, and the other terminal C of the current source is connected with the left-hand end circuit, with the result that current of a polarity which I shall term normal polarity is supplied to both end circuits. Relay ZRHSR now becomes energized, since it is interposed in the normal circuit path of the left-hand end circuit. The circuit thus completed for relay ZRHSR may be traced from terminal B through contact 33 of lever E, wire 34, terminal 52, the previously traced normal path for the right-hand end circuit, terminal I, the previously traced intermediate circuit network, terminal 6, the previously traced normal path for the left-hand end circuit, terminal 5, wire 35, lever contact 33, and resistor 39 to terminal C. The picking up of relay ZRI-ISR controls signal 2R to its new position, and also completes a stick circuit for itself, which circuit may be traced from terminal B through front contact .M of relay ZRHSR, wire l3, asymmetrical unit 20, wire 2|, terminal 6, wire it, asymmetrical unit l5, wire M, the winding of relay ZRHSR, wire 13, terminal 5, wire 35, lever contact 36, and resistor 39 to terminal C. Relay ZRI-ISR, upon picking up, also closes at its front contact 3i, the energizing circuit for relay ZHSPR, whereupon relay ZI-ISPR picks up to open back contact in and thereby open the intermediate circuit network. Relay ZRl-ISR remains energized over its stick circuit until such time as lever E is restored to its neutral position.

The operation of the apparatus for selecting the control relay ZLHSR to operate signal 2L is substantially similar to the operation just described, as may readily be understood by an inspection of the drawing. It is deemed sufiicient to point out that when lever E is moved to its left-hand position L, current of reverse polarity is supplied to the end circuits whereby relay ELHSR is picked up, and relay ZRHSR is provided with a shunt circuit around its operating winding. The circuit now completed for relay ZLI-ISR extends from terminal B through contact 31 of lever E, wire 35, terminal 5, the previously traced reverse path for the left-hand end circuit, terminal 6, the previously traced intermediate circuit network, terminal i, the previously traced reverse path for the right-hand end circuit, terminal 12, wire 35, lever contact 33, and resistor it] to terminal C. Relay ZLHSR, once picked up, is provided with a stick circuit passing from terminal B through front contact 42 of relay ZLHSR, wire 28, asymmetrical unit 21, wire 26, terminal 1, wire 22, asymmetrical unit 23, wire 24, the winding of relay ZLI-ISR, wire 25, terminal [2, wire 34, lever contact 38, and resistor 40 to terminal C. Relay ZLHSR remains energized over its above-mentioned stick circuit until such time as lever E is restored to its neutral position.

From the foregoing description it is apparent that I have provided means for selecting a particular one of a pair of control relays for energization, the selection being determined by the polarity of current supplied to such relays, and by asymmetrical units. Furthermore, it is obvious that the relay selected to remain deenergized, is provided with a shunt path around its operating winding, thereby insuring that only the particular control relay selected to be energized, is provided with energizing current.

In the event that the control contacts of lever E are inadvertently or negligently permitted to become misadjusted or misaligned, the apparatus embodying my invention provides means for preventing improper energization of relay ZLHSR, or ZRHSR. For example, in the event the lever contacts are permitted to become so misadjusted that in the left position L of lever E, contacts 31, 38 and 33 are closed (lever contact 33 in this event being misadjusted since it is normally open in the left position L of the lever), the current source for the control relays is shunted through lever contact 33, lever contact 38, and resistor 43, thereby preventing energization of relay ZRHSR or 2LHSR. This failure of relay ZLHSR to become energized when lever E is moved to its left position L results in signal 2L failing to operate, and this failure of the signal to operate when brought to the attention of the operator is indicative of the improper alignment of the con trol contacts of the control lever E, with the result that the operator is informed of such improper condition of the apparatus, and may correct the contact adjustment so that the control apparatus will function properly, When the contacts are properly adjusted so that in the left position L of lever E only contacts 31 and 38 are closed, the control relays are supplied with current of reverse polarity and relay ZLHSR is energized, as was explained hereinbefore. It is obvious from an inspection of Fig. 2 that in the event the contacts of lever E become misadjusted so that in the right position R of the lever an improper contact is closed, the apparatus will function to prevent energization of the control relays ZLHSR and ZRHSR in a manner similar to that previously described until such time as the proper contact adjustment is made.

Although I have herein shown and described only one form of apparatus embodying my invention, it is understood that various changes and modifications may be made therein within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. In combination, an intermediate circuit network, a first end circuit connected with one end of said intermediate circuit network and a second end circuit connected with the other end of said intermediate circuit network, a first and a second control relay interposed in said first and said second end circuit respectively, a first circuit path for each end circuit including the winding of its respective control relay and an asymmetrical unit arranged to permit only current of normal polarity to flow in said first path of said first end circuit and current of reverse polarity to flow in said first path of said second end circuit, a second circuit path for each end circuit for shunting the first circuit path of the associated end circuit and each second circuit path including a back contact of its respective control relay and an asymmetrical unit arranged to permit only current of reverse polarity to flow in said second path of said first end circuit and current of normal polarity to flow in said second path of said second end circuit, a source of current, a control lever having a neutral and a normal and a reverse position, circuit means controlled by said control lever for connecting said source of current with said end circuits for supplying said circuits with current of normal or reverse polarity whereby said first or said second control relay is picked up according as said lever is in its normal or reverse position, a repeater relay for both said control relays having a back contact interposed in said intermediate circuit network, and circuit means governed by each of said control relays when picked up for maintaining such control relay picked up until said lever is restored to its neutral position.

2. In combination, two relays connected, in circuit, a source of unidirectional current, manually operable control means for causing said source to apply current of one relative polarity or the other to said circuit, a shunt path for each of said two relays each path of which includes an asymmetrical unit, said asymmetrical units being arranged in said shunt paths in such manner that current of one relative polarity is shunted away from one of said two relays and current of the other polarity is shunted away from the other of said two relays, means controlled by each of said two relays when picked up for opening said circuit, and a stick circuit for each of said two relays supplied with current from said source over a front contact of the associated relay and con trolled by said manually operable control means.

3. In combination, two relays connected in circuit, a source of direct current, manually operable means for causing said source to apply current of one relative polarity or the other to said circuit, a shunt path for each of said two relays including its own back contact and an asymmetrical unit, said asymmetrical units being interposed in said shunt paths in such manner that current of one relative polarity is shunted away from one of said two relays and current of the other polarity is shunted away from the other of two relays, means controlled by each of said two relays when picked up for opening said circuit of said two relays, and a stick circuit for each of said two relays completed over a front contact of the associated relay and controlled by said manually operable means.

4. In combination, two relays, a circuit connecting said two relays in series and including two oppositely poled asymmetrical units one for each relay, two shunt paths one for each relay and each path including an asymmetrical unit poled to shunt the winding of its associated relay as well as the associated asymmetrical unit in its high resistance direction, a source of unidirectional current, a manually operable control lever for causing said source to apply current of one polarity or the other to said circuit, means controlled by each of said two relays when picked up for opening said circuit, and a stick circuit for each of said two relays supplied with current from said source over a front contact of the associated relay and controlled by said manually operable lever.

JOHN M. PELIKAN. 

